Chapter 2: Tsukuba Diving

OK, so the name of the town I’ll be living in is called Tsukuba. From reading websites about Tsukuba, it seemed like a northern suburb of Tokyo. Well, it’s a lot further out than I expected. The train ride is pretty preicse though, just about 45 minutes and I’m in central Tokyo.

However, things are a bit slow here in Tsukuba. It seems to shut down early, and the people are quiet and stick to themselves. I haven’t decided if this is a good or bad thing. If I want to take it easy and relax, it’s great, and the intensity of Tokyo is just 45 minutes away. I’m thinking that living in the heart of Tokyo might drive me crazy. For those of you who have been to Tokyo, you know what I mean. If you haven’t been, you wouldn’t understand. It’s something you have to witness. It’s not like living in downtown Seattle. No, living in Tsukuba is probably more on par with living in downtown Seattle. But I like the urban life...in fact I have spent most of my nights out here down in Tokyo.

But yes, a little more about Tsukuba, and my apartment. My apartment is fine. Nothing really to complain about. It’s a tad small. I mean, I expected it to be small, but it’s even smaller than I thought it would be. My room barely holds me, but all I do here is sleep. I leave in the morning, and don’t return until late at night, and sometimes I won’t even come home until the next morning, catching an AM commuter train. We’re on the second floor out of five. Seems fine to me. We have a big balcony, which is mostly reserved for hang drying clothes. Which is so strange...I probably won’t get used to that.

A little more about the area...it’s quiet. Surprsing...there is a little park just to the east of the building. Nothing too major, but it’s pleasant. I like to have picnics there. Theres a 7-11 about 2 minutes by bike, and I do most of my shopping at the Dayz Town, which is a sorta upscale grocery store thats about 3 minutes away. There’s a Jusco in town, but it’s kinda...I don’t know. I don’t like it. You know how I am about things like that. The Dayz Town is like, a mini-mall, which has a nice grocery store, a shoe store, an arcade, a nice hair salon, and a Daiso (Dollar store) I’ve done a lot of shopping at the daiso. I got a lot of stuff like hangers, cups and plates, and a hairbrush. Something I just didn’t think about...hairbrush. Completely forgot one. Oh well, I got one for 100 yen. Sadly enough, the closest restaraunt is a KFC. And even more sad, they don’t have those Buffalo Chicken Snackers. Those things rule, and the only reason I’d go to a KFC. Otherwise...there is a Yoshinoya, but thats a bit of a hike, same with a McDonalds, then there are a few local places. There really isn’t a ramen place near. Funny though, there is an Australian bar nearby, and they have an “Aussie Burger” which just like a heart attack in sandwhich form. And they have Bundaberg Over Proof!

There is a mall about 5 minutes away by bike, which is called the Tsukuba Center Station, because, well, it’s also the train station. Nothing too much going on there, it’s nice enough, but if I want a mall, I’ll just go to Tokyo.

Oh yeah, and I bought a bike. It may sound strange, but it’s wicked handy here. It’s one of those goofy bikes that nobody in the states rides anymore. Only one gear, and it has a little basket. It works out well, gets me to the train station in a hurry, and I can go grocery shopping with it. I actually had a pretty nasty bike crash last night. I’m OK though. My wrist is a bit jammed, but I’ll get over it.